MIRI: A landmark collaboration between China’s Fudan University, the Sarawak Government, and the private sector is set to transform an iconic building here into a global hub for biodiversity and medical heritage here.
The upcoming Fudan University Biodiversity Museum will be housed in the city’s former council building in the heart of the city.
Professor Dong Jingcheng, President of the Fudan Institute of Integrative Medicine, expressed deep satisfaction with the site during a recent visit, describing the location as ideal both in heritage and accessibility.
“We will do our best to complete the project to focus on medicine, on science, and on the people, not just in Malaysia but around the world.”
Dong was accompanied on the site visit by Teo Ah Khing, TAK Group of Companies Chairman, one of the key private partners in the initiative alongside Imasa Dinasti.
The TAK Group is contributing to the adaptive reuse of the historical structure, blending modern design with the preservation of colonial-era architecture.
Set to become a one-of-a-kind institution in Southeast Asia, the Fudan University Biodiversity Museum will offer an immersive exploration into the interconnection between biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and contemporary scientific research.
It will highlight the integration of Chinese traditional medicine, indigenous Sarawakian healing practices and the latest advancements in modern medicine.
“The museum is more than a physical space,” Dong said, adding “it is a platform for dialogue – between traditions, between countries, and between generations.”
The project reflects Fudan University’s growing interest in integrative medicine and global partnerships.
As one of China’s top academic institutions, Fudan has been at the forefront of research that combines ancient medicinal systems with modern biomedical sciences.
The decision to establish such a museum here underscores the city’s rising profile as a centre of knowledge, conservation, and multicultural dialogue.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the museum projected to open to the public in phases over the next two years.
